"Ever Widening Circle"
Quest for my Native American Roots
Sachem’s Kingdom? Or Satan’s Kingdom?
As I wrap up my main research on the Lighthouse Tribe I can’t help feeling there is something more to the story…
I have uncovered a clue…
AND it all begins at the Indian village called: Satan’s Kingdom.
(See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satan%27s_Kingdom_State_Recreation_Area)
At one time Satan’s Kingdom was 1st known as Sachem’s Kingdom – is this possibly a link to the Narragansett Sachem line? Is it tied to the Block Island Sachem-Chagum Pond story? I believe it is~
Sachem Kingdom name was later changed to Satan’s Kingdom due to the village being taken over by stage coach robbers, bandits, thieves and ruffians~ (See Satan’s Kingdom write up below)
Well… I decided to dig a lil deeper and… I think I found something…
Let’s look at the facts on James Chagum of the Barkhamsted Lighthouse:
Let’s start at the resided fact above:
Per Lewis Mill’s Poem – Chief Cherry was a part of the Barkhamsted story… so let’s start with him and who he was? What tribe he was Chief of? And his time frame….
As you can see by this map – Connecticut was a huge area.
- 1636 – 1776 Connecticut, New Haven & Saybrook Settlements
Now let’s take a look at the tribes via 1625 map – Main focus: the Massacoes Tribe
- 1625 Map of The State Of Connecticut – Indian Trails, Village & Sachemdom
In 1625 (map above) the area that is marked with the red dot – is area that becomes “Sachem/Satan’s Kingdom” and the “Barkhamsted Lighthouse” area in the 1700’s.
Massacoe Tribe:
1. In 1661 Chief’s of the Massacoes/Massaco:
Main Chief: Manahanoose along with Pacatoco, Pamatacount & Youngcoout. They were apart of the Wappinger branch of New York & Connecticut. (via 1661 deed below)
(Want to note) in 1661 Manahanoose destroyed “pitch & tar” of that of John Griffin and due to this – it is the reason for this 1881 deed – where they give him the land to pay for it.
2. In 1680 is also another deed – Land given to Maj. John Talcott, Benj Newberry, Danl Clarke and John Gilbert – Deed approved by Waquaheag (alias Chief Cherry) (via 1680 deed below)
Also other Native American’s in the 1680 deed:
*Neschegan, Seakets, Totoe, Aupes & Mandonumph – along with 3 Squaw’s: Nenepaush squa, Mamanto Squa & Wishewohoes Wife (noted in deed: 2 acres of land was reserved for Mamanto)
Therefore – We have Chief Cherry in 1680, approving a deed
James Chagum didn’t come to the area until 1770 = 90 yr gap? (See land info above)
So with this info: I would have to assume at this time that OUR James of Barkhamsted; more then likely didn’t know “Chief Cherry”
But I do believe it is the tribe that James & Molly came to…
Here is where the story takes a turn……
WHO is this Neschegan? Is he possibly the Ancestor of the “UNCLE Shoukum/Shonquin” in the “Satan’s Kingdom” write up?
I believe he is connected somehow to the Chagum’s~
James Chagum Land’s around Satan’s Kingdom
Now let’s add a spin to this story – (see event’s above)
The Praying Indians and Barkhamsted Connection
I fully believe that our James Chagum is a part of the Praying Indian People.
We have Samson Occum visiting him and the Lighthouse People on a couple of occasions. James was known for being a “Christian Indian” and so was that of the Lighthouse People. James & Molly’s Son in Law: William Wilson was also one of these preachers. He and his wife Polly lived many years at the Lighthouse site along with later owning most of the land into their old age.
I have a lot of work ahead of me to prove all of this…. but I believe I am close to narrowing down the tribe that James and Molly actually ran to after they were married. I do not believe they were in direct contact with “Chief Cherry” himself as written in Lewis Mill’s book. BUT do believe however that it is the correct tribe and that a part of this tribe was located at the Sachem/Satan’s Kingdom area.
One Comment on “Sachem’s Kingdom? Or Satan’s Kingdom?”
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Coni Dubois
WOW!!! I read some of this and I am saving this to read when I have more time to savor it! Thank you so much! GREAT JOB!
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